BRISBANE doctors are ­undergoing high-level counter-terrorism training in the US but Queensland Health ­denies it is anything more than standard professional development.

The four emergency ­doctors from the Princess ­Alexandra Hospital, including the deputy director of the emergency department, are in Palm Springs, California, for the two-week course at the International School of Tactical Medicine.

Firearms instruction, hands-on training and medical and tactical education make up the course, which is described as “dedicated to one fundamental goal: officer ­survival”.

“Graduates will be able to effectively integrate with a tactical team or security detail as a tactically safe provider,” according to the course description.

“What you learn during the training could save your life or the lives of others.”

One doctor quipped that the heavy artillery used in training, including what is believedSource:Supplied

Other clients of the ISTM include the United States’ ­Secret Service, United States’ Military and the Department of Homeland Security.

A picture posted on one of the doctor’s Facebook pages showed the extent of the training, with some quipping that the heavy artillery, including what is believed to be a Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle, could come in handy during “night shift” at the PA.

The training comes ahead of the November G20 ­summit. The hospital is already the Commonwealth’s go-to agency ­in the event of national and international disasters.

However, a hospital spokeswoman denied the doctors’ training course was in any way related to the G20.

“There’s no military element to the training. It’s disaster management training in a clinical context,” she said. The $3000 cost of the course for each doctor was being funded from the Professional Development Allowance.

The Courier-Mail understands the hospital’s emergency department will be placed on standby during the two-day G20 event to treat any of the official delegates, including 26 world leaders and about nine International ­Protected Persons.

Surgery at the PA will also be suspended for the period.

Queensland Health and the G20 Taskforce have ­refused to confirm which ­hospital will be used for the G20 for security reasons.

The only leader unlikely to be taken to the PA in the event of illness is US President Barack Obama.

Based on previous trips, the President is expected to be accompanied by a Navy aircraft carrier or amphibious ship with a fully staffed medical trauma centre, which will be stationed offshore, probably in Moreton Bay.

Queensland president of the Australian Medical Association Steve Hambleton said unless the State Government sorted out the issue of individual contracts for doctors, there may not be sufficient staff at hospitals during the G20.

“Sadly unless something changes we aren’t going to have a full complement of our senior staff,” said Dr Hambleton.

“We have to have this thing well and truly fixed by April, let alone later in the year when we are hosting a major international meeting.”

Premier Campbell Newman said he remained confident the dispute could be resolved and doctors would have the “same great terms and conditions they enjoy”.